Chelsea fans were understandably distraught to see Courtois miss out, although one consolation is that United's star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is only fit to start from the bench after complaining of tiredness.
The injury means back-up goalie Asmir Begovic will make his first Premier League appearance of the season in one of his side's most important games of the year.
For Thibaut Courtois, his love of basketball leading to an untimely injury.
Conte confirmed to Sky Sports in his pre-match interview that the Belgian was out with an ankle injury and did not deny suggestions it was sustained playing basketball in a commercial shoot.
The severity of his injury should become clear in the coming days.
"I hope only this game (he misses)".
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For United, meanwhile, manager Jose Mourinho chose to leave Ibrahimovic on the bench with the 35-year-old top scorer having faced Anderlecht in Thursday's Europa League quarter-final first leg.
David de Gea, Ander Herrera, Marouane Fellaini and Ashley Young came in, with Sergio Romero, Michael Carrick, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and top scorer Ibrahimovc making way.
The latter captained the side with Wayne Rooney again absent from the squad, along with forward Anthony Martial.
Sweden great Ibrahimovic noted after the Anderlecht game that he was "tired" and is seemingly being rested ahead of this week's return tie.
'It's not important how he got injured, the bad news is that Courtois got injured.
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